On one of my trips to Paris I took the shot below. I loved the window boxes, the lace curtains, geraniums and petunias, and the Paris street sign.
I haven’t uploaded it to the blog before because my current photographer self can only see the flaws. If only I’d raised the camera to include the entire street sign! I was shooting film and thought I knew what I was doing. Nowadays it’s awesome to see what you’re shooting instantly.
Let this be a teaching moment. Take your time framing shots and make sure you’ve focused on the right spaces. Sometimes it’s OK and actually better to leave stuff out, especially with food photography. But a scene like this needs more symmetry. The space above the sign should be more equal to the space below the window box. No one cares about a white wall. The equipment in the upper left corner can be easily removed with Photoshop, but that doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the cut-off sign.
I’ve decided to paint this one day so I can “fix” it. No, I don’t have OCD, but I’ve acquired higher standards since I started taking photography seriously. I’ve also had a lot more practice. 🙂
Hope your week’s going well so far.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Flawed or not (in the eyes of a professional) I think this captures the charm of that window and perhaps even adds to it.
You are too kind, Susan!
If I were any sort of artist, I would be very hesitant to let people see any but my finished product. (I know I can be this way when I write.) And I am sure my earlier works would pale next to my more mature offerings. Therefore — a well-deserved hats-off to Ms. Pearl for this peek at a work of art still in progress, as well as for an impromptu framing lesson on the fly.
BUT!! Ms. Pearl, you have to know that you’re now on the hook for the “Paris Window Boxes” painting to come, complete with a Pearls And Prose photograph therefrom.
Ha ha! The painting is a ways off, I’m afraid. Still learning!
I lived just off that street – on the Place de La Contrescarpe.
I like the photo but I see what you mean. It will make a great painting.
Wow! I am pretty much green with envy, Caroline. I love that area of Paris.
It was just across from where Hemingway used to live. 🙂 It’s a lovely area.
Had no idea.
I love the photo! Didn’t even see that the sign was cut off until you pointed it out. (Shows how observant I am!) But I understand your reservations. It can be difficult to look at work from long ago and not want to change it. I feel that way with my writing many times.
Oh, thanks, Jackie. Glad I’m not the only one. Usually I give myself a break on the old photos, but this one really bugs me. I’ll get over it. 🙂
but a cool shot 🙂
Thank you. 🙂